GunnerBill

Lots of decent shouts already in this thread. Here are my sleepers - some of whom I mentioned in another post last week but with a bit of added detail here: Elijah Jones, Cornerback, Boston College 3rd round grade Elijah Jones has risen through the process to the point where he is probably a consensus day two pick whereas when I first assigned him a round 3 grade it was common to see people talking about him as a day three guy. The thing that stand out with him is ball skills - he had five interceptions in 2023 - and his ability to play press technique at the line. He reminds me a bit of Emmanuel Forbes last year and a bit of Kaiir Elam the year before in that he is tall and slender and sometimes his long limbs cause him issues in transitions when playing off. Neither of those guys has been a success yet in the league but I'd argue both were forced into schemes they didn't truly fit and you are not paying a 1st round price to snag Jones. The other concern is Jones is already 24 and the fact that he hasn't begun to fill out his frame at that age is a factor teams need to consider. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Safety, Texas Tech Round 3 grade Dadrion Taylor-Demerson also fits the description of a guy that the talking heads have now caught up to after a really strong Combine. I was told by one well connected source that the league was already pretty high on him before that and he benefits from being in a class where a lot of the popular early safety names fit better as box guys who can cover half the field in two deep looks. DTD is a genuine deep safety with the speed to go side to side as a centre fielder and can also reduce down and play the nickel in certain packages. He can improve his tackling against the run, but at the same time he forced incompletions on 20% of the plays where he was targeted in 2023. In a passing league that does not go unnoticed. Deantre Prince, Cornerback, Ole Miss Round 4 grade Another defensive back but this time one where the consensus definitely hasn't caught up with me on him despite Prince running a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine. He is another corner that just always seems to be around the ball and has had 16 pass breakups the past two seasons. He is also a fantastic run support defender with 5 tackles for loss in 2023. That aggression can sometimes be used against him and there it, it must be said, some inconsistency on his film which leaves you wondering whether he goes full gas every down but I think he could be a starting nickel in the right scheme and has enough size to get by on the boundary too if needs be. Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian University Round 5 grade It will be no surprised to people who have asked me about it this draft season but I am not high on the depth of this edge class. Proof of the pudding comes in Hunt being my 12th ranked edge despite putting up just 6.5 sacks playing in the FCS Southland Conference against such college football powerhouses as McNeese State University and Prairie View A&M. But this guy was at the Senior Bowl and has some raw ingredients. He is super explosive, he has length, he can bend and he has quick twitchy feet - that is a pretty good starting point for any edge rusher. He has mainly been a stand up guy in a 3-4 and needs to add some bulk and be better converting speed to power to be a three down player but as a situational pass rusher this guy is worth a swing, especial for 3-4 defense teams. Darius Muasau, Linebacker UCLA Round 6/7 grade Muasau was a stand out performer at the East-West Shrine game and while he won't wow anyone with size or speed he is relentless in terms of his motor and his pursuit of the football. Despite his size he plays tough and physical against the inside run game, maintains lane discipline and wins reps based on his instincts and play recognition skills. He needs to work on his pass coverage, especially zone drops, but he could earn his way onto the field early just through his sheer effort. Roger Rosengarten, Offensive Tackle, Washington 4th round grade Roger Rosengarten is a guy who knows how to play offensive tackle. In terms of understanding of how rushers are trying to attack him and using his technique and length to maintain his blocks he is a high level prospect. The questions are mainly about athleticism and whether he uses his size as effectively as he could. I know his RAS score from the combine was impressive but you don't see an athletic prospect so much on tape. That will drop him to this sort of range where someone will pick up a starting offensive lineman, either at tackle or shifted inside to guard. Cornelius Johnson, Wide Receiver, Michigan 4th round grade Johnson is yet another older prospect (23) and this class does seem to be littered with them on day 3. He is an athletic freak who just leaves you wanting more from him when you watch the tape. The modest production, to an extent, can be put down to the offense he played in for the Wolverines. When you watch the 2022 Ohio State game tape you think this guy has WR1 potential in the NFL but the consistency hasn't been there and he has struggled against man coverage in particular. However he is 6'2, 212lbs runs a 4.45 and is physical at the catch point. That skillset remains tantalising if he can put it all together. Tip Reiman, Tight End, Illinois 5th round grade Reiman looked like the classic backup tight end who has the ability to block and while he needs to tidy up his technique some could sustain a career in the league with the combination of blocking ability and sure hands as an occasional passing option. However, when he blew up the Combine posting a 9.92 RAS score I think a lot of people re-traced their steps and took a second look. He actually reminds me some of Dawson Knox. He is going to be a serviceable two way tight end who will excel in the redzone. He isn't quite as agile or quick as Knox but there are some similarities in their game, especially with ball in hand. Antony Gould, Wide Receiver, Oregon State 6th/7th round grade Gould is a classic late day 3 type receiver who is going to be a weapon in the return game and play a bit of gimmick receiver for you on bubble screens, reverses and jet sweeps. He ran a 4.39 at the Combine after scoring a punt return touchdown in the Shrine Bowl which has contributed to him moving up boards in the spring. I think he has probably earned himself a draft pick now, and his special teams ability give him a shot to make an NFL roster.

My top 15 were published here the other day: https://www.twobillsdrive.com/community/topic/253033-gunners-2024-mock-draft-v20-now-live-p8/page/11/#comment-9001407 I have a further 5 after that: Polk, Cowing, Corley, Rice and McMillan in my top 100 making it 20 in my top 100. What I think has been a bit under discussed in this talk about the depth of the WR group is that it does drop off a bit after that. I think there are 20 maybe even 21 (I have Malik Washington not far outside my top 100) who legit could go in the first two days.... but then when I get into day 3 receivers that I like as developmental pieces..... it is relatively slim pickings compared to some other years. I like Thrash some as a round 4 guy, Cornelius Johnson as a late 4th rounder and then McCaffrey and Johnny Wilson are 5th round grades for me. After that you are into Jha'Quan Jackson and Anthony Gould as return guys who can play some gimmick receiver in a pinch for you who I think are draftable. Some of the other guys I have seen talked about as day 3 prospects - Isaiah Williams, Jalen Coker, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Weaver.... they are 7th round flier / UDFA types to my eye. Yea, while I do not think there is a consensus out there at all on Legette - because the decision on him basically comes down to risk appetite - it only takes one team to be at the higher end of that scale and he is gone.

Suddenly I think Joe is a very smart man 😂. I will listen to the podcast on the way to work, but if he does have Legette as his WR4 he can join me in a club of 2 😁.

With the 19th pick in the 2024 TSW Mock Draft 1.0, the Los Angeles Rams select: Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois. The Pittsburgh Steelers and @julian are now on the clock. I'd have taken Latu if he reached this spot and I'd have considered Fautanu too. But I think the guys who can start early at left tackle are gone and there are no other edge rushers worth the pick. So I round back to their need to replace Aaron Donald and it just happens to coincide with the value on the board. Newton is personally my highest graded defensive player and I like his fit in the Rams odd front defense. In his final two years with the Fighting Illini he registered 13 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. He is a monster who lives in the backfield and terrorised Big Ten Offensive Lines.

Im up for a couple more hours this evening. If things move ahead of then Ill pick tonight if not I'll pick first thing in the morning UK time. Sorry it doesn't speed things along but this almost always happens haha. If we get one more pick before bed I'll message @Virgil my pick and my backup choice.

If he is there, he is the pick.

I agree he won't be a Bill. But this thread isn't about being a Bill. It is about sleepers. Equally I don't think he is a first round talent. I think he is a second round talent who will go later on the basis of off field and inconsistency.

The logic given for Denver does make sense though. If the GM and Coach know they have 2024 regardless just pick a guy your QB will use in the future. I think they will take whoever their QB4/5 is at #12. But if they don't the Thomas pick makes some sense to me. The guys I am speaking to all think it is Jayden FWIW.

I will be picking on what I would do if I was the GM based on the roster, the board and the value. I won't be imitating Les Snead. If I was I'd have traded my first round pick away 3 years ago 😄

The 2020 class was his best moment IMO. He got that spot on: Burrow, Herbert, Love, Tua. If they were redrafted today that would be the order (though I still think Love is on the rise).

I watched the game. He had a few moments. I picked him out in my write up of the game. He didn't have a terrible performance. But I thought he was the most talented player on either roster. I wanted to see him dominate, and he didn't. I think he has a chance to be a decent rotational rusher in the NFL. But that is the ceiling for me and I was kinda hoping for more.

His record the past few years is not great. Loved Drew Lock. Loved Zach Wilson. High on Kellen Mond. High on Matt Corral.

I agree. Everyone I speak to thinks Daniels is Washington's guy.

Certainly possible the Chiefs target a defensive tackle somewhere, Jones turns 30 in July and while they did bring Nnadi back to start at 1T he is only on a 1 year deal. I'm just not sure I see it being a big enough priority at #32 given their need at receiver and the gaping hole they have at left tackle.

Jackson, not Johnson. He will get drafted for return ability for sure. I'm not sure he is going to be much more than that in the NFL but his play in the return game should keep him in the league for a few years. You'd have to worry about how poor he was at the Shrine game against competition he should have been dominating. That was definitely a concern for me.

Only just seen this post but coming back to this thread.... we disagree on Franklin but I like most of the rest. Definitely think Newton is DT1 - he is my top defensive player let alone top defensive tackle! Wilson is gonna be pretty good I think but agree Watson, especially if it is day 3, is going to end up as a bargain starter for someone. My comp for Abrams-Draine is actually Trent McDuffie. I don't think he is as complete as McDuffie or as pro-ready but the play style and athletic profile really reminds me of him. I started the process higher on Kamara than I am now, but definitely agree on Harris. I think he could even be an option for the Bills as the rotational guy behind Ed.

Thanks for posting. All of that accords with generally where I am on those three guys. He probably ends up half a round higher on McConkey than me but his conclusions as to his fit and route to success in the NFL are the same. I had made both the Thomas - DK comparison and the Coleman big slot projection in this thread too.

Rams Giants Bengals Cheers Virg!

I really hope that is what they do.

The Bills had Sammy, Woods, Harvin and Hogan with Roman. It wasn't elite but it wasn't exactly depleted. I just think the best players are receivers and the Chargers biggest need is receiver. Picking Joe Alt and then playing him right tackle would be bad value IMO. And Slater is very good. If I was the Charger GM I'd pick best WR available at #5 and if they don't I think it will be a significant error.

If the Chargers go into the season with what they currently have at receiver it will be without question the weakest receiver group in the NFL and not even close. I just can't see how they generate any offense at all with it. I get the Oline point but they have a left tackle. They also have a first round left guard. As much as I love Joe Alt are they really spending a third first round pick in four years on offensive line? I think anything other than pick the best receiver available to them is unspeakably dumb. It is by far the biggest roster need and it is where the genuine top 10 talent is in this draft. Talk about value matching need. The other thing to throw into that mix of course is Arizona. If they trade back and the first four picks are QBs I am not sure where the callers are for a trade up. Maybe someone else calls to get up for MHJ. But if the Vikings and their two picks are off the board as a partner then what are the offers? Future picks? I mean maybe Harbaugh is happy to punt on 2024 somewhat... hard to know. It is not a position of need. Johnny Newton is a 3T. The Bills have one of their best players at 3T, they just paid him and he just had a career year. You can't line Newton up with Oliver in anything more than pure pass rush downs. And if they are going to spend a 1st round pick on a 3T and then force fit him into a 1T shaped hole.... well they deserve everything they get.

I think it is fixing a problem that doesn't exist. In my near 25 years watching the league the only true intentional tank job was the Browns in 2016 and 2017 and the lesson from that period has been that if you don't then get the Quarterback right it doesn't matter a jot. What they have ended up with is a pretty talented team. But they had a good not great QB and so ended up trading the farm for one they thought was better and with a whole cargo train full of baggage. Yes, well run and well managed teams in the main maximise potential better than badly run teams. The Bengals are still a badly run franchise. They just have Joe Burrow. Conversley the Steelers are still a well run franchise. They just don't have a Quarterback. The idea to fix that by giving Pittsburgh a chance to get its QB after finishing 9-8 just means the Bengals and others will be perennial bottom feeders and in a franchise league with no relegation that is bad for business.

@DJB here is the link to my top 5 As I say.... I had Jefferson as a second so I am not claiming a total W. I was right on Higgins and Aiyuk. But wrong on Jeudy, wrong on Jefferson and who knows on Ruggs.

Ha my top 5 will be on here somewhere. I am not sure Kudos is deserved. JJ is the best receiver in the NFL and I had a 2nd round grade on him. I liked Higgins and Aiyuk a bit more than most though.

Yea I was Lamb and Jeudy, then Ruggs. I actually then had the next 4 as Higgins, Aiyuk, Jefferson and Pittman. I do think it was similar in that there was consensus wise a top 3 and then a 4th guy who most but not everyone liked (and from LSU as well) then a gap and a group of guys who were seen as late day 1 / early day 2.